Clinical Trial: Natural History of Anthrax: a Study of Primary Infected, Recovered, and Exposed Individuals (SPoRE); and Evaluation of AVA-Vaccinated Recipients

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Natural History of Anthrax: A Study of Primary Infected, Recovered, and Exposed (SPoRE) Individuals and Evaluation of AVA Vaccinated Recipients

Brief Summary:

This study will examine pathophysiology and immune response of anthrax in infected or exposed individuals to learn more about the disease symptoms, prevention and response to treatment. In addition, it will evaluate immune response to the anthrax vaccine AVA (Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed) in healthy, non-infected individuals.

The following individuals may be eligible for this study:

  1. People with confirmed or suspected anthrax (inhalational, cutaneous or gastrointestinal, either acute or recovering);
  2. People exposed to anthrax who have no clinical symptoms.
  3. Healthy people who have not been exposed to anthrax and have been vaccinated with AVA.

Those enrolled in the study will undergo the following tests and procedures.

Infected and exposed individuals:

  • Symptomatic participants will have the following clinical procedures if medically necessary:
  • a) blood tests for cell counts, chemistries and evidence of anthrax bacteria;
  • b) nasal swab to test for evidence of anthrax
  • c) chest X-ray;
  • d) computed tomography (CT) scan (special X-rays to examine the lungs or abdomen);
  • e) echocardiogram to examine the heart
  • f) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a special imaging test using a magnetic field and radio waves to examine the infected area of skin and soft tissue for patients with cutaneous anthrax.
  • All subjects (with

    Detailed Summary: The intentional use of Bacillus anthracis in 2001 as a bioterrorism weapon with fatal consequences renewed interest in past epidemiological and animal research about pathogenesis and posed new dilemmas about diagnosis and treatment. Cases in the October 2001 US outbreak were theoretically exposed via one dispersal method: aerosolization of Ames strain spores. While some developed the cutaneous anthrax form, others sustained the more serious inhalational disease. Inhaled spores are known to travel to alveolar macrophages and then onto the mediastinal lymph nodes where germination to the bacterium form and toxin release are thought to occur. Infective dose, significance of dormant spores after long-term antibiotic therapy, spectrum of disease and even precise cause of death remain unknown. This observational, prospective natural history study was developed during the 2001 outbreak and is set up to follow participants from the time of exposure through post-recovery (greater than ten years). Healthy vaccinated participants have been included to evaluate serum titers and cell markers in relation to dose and frequency of AVA vaccine.
    Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

    Current Primary Outcome:

    Original Primary Outcome:

    Current Secondary Outcome:

    Original Secondary Outcome:

    Information By: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

    Dates:
    Date Received: December 3, 2002
    Date Started: February 27, 2002
    Date Completion:
    Last Updated: April 20, 2017
    Last Verified: October 21, 2016